SOST announces four appointments

Four new appointees to the University of Southern Mississippi’s new School of Ocean Science and Technology (SOST) were recently made within the school’s administrative structure. Housed within the College of Science and Technology, SOST has brought together marine-related research and education programs under one administration and harnesses elements from key areas of USM, including the Division of Marine Science based at John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock county; the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) and Division of Coastal Sciences in Ocean Springs; and the University’s fleet of five research vessels. Dr. William “Monty” Graham was appointed in June as director. He is a former marine scientist at the University of South Alabama’s Dauphin Island (Ala.) Sea Lab. Dr. Robert Grifitt has assumed duty of chair for the Division of Coastal Sciences and associate director of SOST. Dr. Jerry Wiggers is currently interim chair for the Division of Marine Science and associate director of SOST. Dr. Read Hendon was named associate director of GCRL and director of the Center for Fisheries Research and Development. USM is in an opportune position with SOST to fortify its reputation as a national leader in marine science research along the Gulf of Mexico. SOST holds the distinction of being the only school in North America to offer an undergraduate degree in marine science with an emphasis in hydrographic science. (Source: Southern Miss Now 10/18/16)